Tips for teen drivers

 

Your kids have hit that age. You know the age when they want to get their learner's permit. That's great because that means they are on their way to getting their license and that means they can help drive on the next road trip. Great, but that doesn't mean you don't have that moment of uncertainly where the worry come in. You want to know that when you are not in the car with them that they are going to follow all rules of the road and that they will be safe. We can do our best to teach the kids the rules of the road and hope that if they know these safety tips, they can learn to stay safe. 

Before the kids get in the car, turn off the phone. 

There is no need to text message or check email when they are driving. It takes there attention away from the road on average for 5 seconds and that is enough to cause an accident. Driving while using a cell phone, even when it is on hand free, is the same as driving while drunk. Some states even have laws against using a phone at all while driving. 

Use the headlights. 

Even though most cars these days have automatic headlights, some people still turn them off for whatever reason. Using the headlights helps other drivers see you. Especially during early morning and dusk, even though the driver can see, it can be hard to see other cars. Having your headlights on helps the other drivers see you. 

Always follow the speed limit. 

It is easy to think that the speed limit doesn't matter. Kids tend to want to drive faster. Speeding is known to be a major contributor is fatal teen accidents. Besides what a ticket will do to their insurance, it is dangerous for kids to drive faster. The speed limit is set for the safety of that road. 

Drive alone and minimize the distractions. 

Anything that distracts you from the road has the ability to cause an accident. Eating, drinking, even carrying on a conversation with someone in the car can take you attention away from the road.  The best thing to do is drive alone when possible. 

Keep the volume on the radio turned down. 

Do not worry about messing with the radio station and do not eat or drink while driving, even when you know the road well. It only takes a second for something to cause an accident. 

Practice. 

The only way to become a better driver is to practice. Practice driving in different road conditions and at different times of the day. The more a teen comes in contact with different situations and scenarios, the more a new driver will know how to handle the situation when you are not there to help them. A prepared driver is always a safer driver.